Extra panel cartons



July 30, 1963 H. s. MEYERS EXTRA PANEL CARTONS 2 Sheets5heet 1 Filed April 2, 1962 Hxmozo S. MEYERS BY Qommam ATTORNEY July 30, 1963 H. s. MEYERS 3,099,381

EXTRA PANEL CARTONS Filed April 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR /-/,4 F? 04 0 5. MEYERS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,099,381 EXTRA PANEL CARTONS Harold S. Meyers, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, Ramsey, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,096 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) This invention relates to an improvement in extra panel cartons and deals particularly with a carton having an increased printing area.

Many products which are contained in paperboard cartons are packed with direction sheets, advertising brochures, recipe sheets and the like. While such sheets are relatively expensive to produce, considerable difficulty is often involved in folding the sheets and inserting them into the cartons. The insertion of such items must either be done manually or automatically on expensive machinery. Where such sheets are not inserted in a carton of a predetermined size over a considerable period of time, it is usually less expensive to insert the sheets by hand, as the cost of the machinery is unwarranted.

It is also true that in many instances, the producers of goods which are packaged in cartons want to include information which is available only to persons purchasing the product. Thus, even in instances where all of the printed matter could appear on the surface of a paperboard carton, it is preferred to use a sheet or folder which is inserted into the carton so that it is not visible to any one picking up the package. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple carton having more printing area than most cartons and which may bear printed matter which is normaly concealed until the package is opened. While this result could be accomplished in any car-ton, if the carton were printed on both sides, this double printing also increases the cost of production, and requires that the carton be destroyed if the printed information is to be read.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carton of generally conventional form, but having a fifth panel which overlies an end panel of the series, and which is adhered to underlying panel in such a manner that the major portion of the fifth panel may be detached or partially detached. The underlying panel is provided with a flap which is hingedly connected thereto in the same manner as an end closing flap, but which may be folded into face contact with the underlying panel before the fifth panel is adhered thereto. A portion of the fifth panel is connected to the marginal edges thereof by one or more weakened lines of separation so that the mid portion of the fifth panel may either be removed or else swung open to expose the flap. When the flap is hinged back into the plane of the underlying panel, the printed matter on the flap and on the center portion of the underlying panel is visible. Thus portions of the printed matter which are normally concealed become visible Without destroying the 'carton for reuse.

. A feature of the preferred form of construction of my invention lies in offsetting the center portion of the underlying panel an amount which is substantially equal to the thickness of the paperboard used so that the fifth panel may lie on a flat plane and so that the fifth panel will not bulge outwardly when in use. A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that four of the five panels as well as certain of the enclosure panels may be printed, and in addition the center portion of the underlying panel and the attached flap may also be printed. Thus directions, recipes, or any other information may be provided which does not detract from the design or outward appearance of the carton, but which is readily accessible when the carton is open. These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a closed carton showing the outward appearance thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the carton shown in FIGURE 1 after a portion of the fifth panel has been folded into open position to disclose the underlying panel and enclosed flap, showing the flap in unfolded position in dotted outline.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view on a horizontal plane through the carton of FIGURES 1 and 2, the position of the section being indicated by the line 33- of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the carton is formed.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a closed carton showing a modified form of construction.

FIGURE 6 is a View similar to FIGURE 5 showing the center portion of the fifth panel removed to expose a portion of the underlying panel and the added flap.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the modified form of carton, the position of the section being indicated by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the carton shown in FIGURES 5-7 is formed.

With reference now to FIGURES 14 of the drawings, the carton A includes a front wall panel 10, a side wall panel 11, a rear wall panel 12, and a side wall panel 13 which are foldably connected along parallel fold lines 14, 1'5, and 16. In place of the glue flap normally used to overlie an edge of the other end panel of the series, a fifth panel 17 is hingedly connected to the side wall panel 13 along a fold line 19. The panel 17 is preferably but not necessarily, of approximately the same width as the front wall panel 10 and includes a glue flap portion 20, a wide intermediate portion 21, and an anchoring portion 2-2. In the arrangement illustrated, the glue flap portion 20 is connected to the central portion 17 along a perforated line 23, and the anchoring portion 22 is hingedly connected to the center portion 17 along 'a fold line 24. Obviously, the positions of the fold line 24 and perforated line 23 could be reversed. Furthermore, the fold line or perforated line connecting the central portion 21 with the anchoring portion 22 may be omitted if the anchoring portion 22 is adhered over relatively small areas of adhesive so that the center portion and anchoring portion 21, 22 may be folded in unison.

A pair of top closure flaps 25 and 26 are hingedly connected along the upper edges of the panels 11 and 13 along a fold line 27 and a top panel 29 is hingedly connected to the rear wall 12 along the fold line 27. The flap 29 is substantially the full area of the cross section v.of the carton and is provided with a tuck flap 30 connected to the flap 29 along a fold line 31 parallel to the fold line 27. The tuck flap 30 is designed to be inserted between the edges of the tuck flaps 25 and 26 and the front wall panel 10.

Closure flaps 32 and lower edges of the side walls 11 and 13 respectively along fold lines '34, and a bottom closure flap 35 which is.

substantially the full cross sectional area of the .carton is hinged to the lower edge of the front wall 10 along the fold line 34. A tuck flap 36 is hingedly connected to the end of the bottom closure panel 35 along a fold line 37 parallel to the fold line 34. The tuck flap 36 is designed to extend between the marginal edges of the flaps 32 and 33 and the rear wall 12. a

The front panel 10 is hingedly connected along its upper edge by an extension of the fold line 27 to a flap 39. This flap is somewhat narrower than the panel 10,.

and is of approximately the same width as the center or intermediate portion 21 of the fifth panel 17. In pre- 33 are hingedly connected to the.

ferred form, the front panel is inwardly embossed along two parallel lines 40, the embossed lines 40 being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the flap 39 and the center portion of the panel 10 being inwardly offset from the marginal edge portions of the panel by a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the paperboard. As a result, the flap 39 may be folded down against the center portion of the panel 10 and the outer surface of the folded flap 39 will then be substantially on the plane of the spaced edge portions of the panel 10.

With the arrangement described, the entire area of the blank may be printed if desired with the exception of the glue flap area 20 and the anchoring flap area 22 to which adhesive is to be secured. When the carton is closed, it appears as indicated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. By inserting a blade between the center portion 2 1 of the panel 17 and the down turned flap 39', the panel will be separated along the weakened line of separation 23. The center portion 21 of the panel 17 may be swung open in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2, and the flap 39 may be folded upwardly toward the dotted line position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The surface of the flap 39 as Well as the center portion of the panel 16 may be printed with added instructions, recipes or other material which is not exposed when the package is closed and which therefore may contain information which is not available to the purchaser until the package is open. Furthermore, this permits the carton to bear directions or information without detracting from the appearance or design of the exposed carton surface.

The carton B is generally similar to the carton A with the exception of the fact that a portion of the fifth panel of the canton is removable rather than hingedly connected. The carton B includes an inner front panel 41, a side panel 42, a rear panel 43, and a side wall panel 44, hingedly connected along fold lines 45', 46, and 47 which are parallel. A fifth panel 49 is hingedly connected to the side wall panel 44 along a fold line 50'. The panel 49 is divided into a glue flap area 51, an intermediate area 52, and an anchoring flap area 53 by spaced weakened lines of separation 54 and 55.

Inner top or closing flaps 56, 57 are foldably connected to the upper edges of the side wall panels 42 and 44 along a fold line 59. A top panel 60 is foldably connected to the rear wall panel 43 along the fold line 59 and a tuck flap 61 is hinged to the top panel along a parallel fold line 62. In the same manner, inner bottom closing flaps 63 and 64 are hinged to the lower edges of the side wall panels '42 and 44, and the bottom closure panel 65 is hinged to the lower edge of the inner front panel 41, these flaps all being foldably connected along a common line of fold 66. A tuck flap 67 is hingedly connected to the bottom closing panel 65 along a parallel fold line 69.

As in the previous structure, a flap 70 which is narrow with respect to the width of the front wall panel 41 and which is centered between the sides thereof is hingedly connected to the flap 70 along a fold line 71. The panel 49 is embossed along two parallel lines 72 to inwardly ofiset the center portion of the panel 41 between the lines 72 the thickness of the flap 70. The lines 72 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the flap 70.

When the carton B is closed, it appears as in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. When it is desired to gain access to the information printed on the front panel 41 and the flaps 70, the center portion 52 of the fifth panel 49 is grasped and pulled outwardly, the panel 49 ripping along the weakened lines of separation 54 and 55- which are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the fiap 7 0. The flap 70 may then be grasped and swung upwardly into the position shown in dotted outline in 'FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

The carton B has the same advantages as the carton A except for the fact that a portion of the fifth panel is removed and discarded. However, the construction has the advantage that the center portion 52 of the fifth panel 49 may usually be detached without the use of tools by merely inserting a fingernail between the panel 49 and the flap 70 and exerting an outward force on the center portion of this panel.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in extra panel cartons, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A fifth panel carton having a concealed information area including,

a wall structure including rectangularly arranged side and end walls,

a fifth panel hinged to one of said walls and overlying the adjacent wall,

a flap hinged to said adjacent wall along a fold line right angularly related to the line of hinge connecting said fifth panel to said one wall,

said flap being narrower in width than said adjacent wall, and centered with respect thereto,

said flap being folded between said adjacent wall and said fifth panel,

said fifth panel having parallel marginal portions on opposite sides of said flap,

means securing said marginal portions to the edges of said adjacent wall, and

a weakened line of separation extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with one edge of said flap which is parallel to said line of hinge.

2. The structure of claim 1 and including a fold line extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with the edge of said flap parallel to said one edge thereof.

3. The structure of claim 1 and including a second weakened line of separation extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with the edge of said flap parallel to said one edge thereof.

4. A fifth panel carton having a concealed information area including,

rectangularly arranged side and end walls hingedly connected together,

a fifth panel connected to one said end wall along a hinge line and overlying the adjoining side wall and substantially contiguous therewith,

top and bottom end wall closing flaps hinged to the upper and lower ends of said end wall panels and foldable into a common plane,

a top closure panel hinged to the upper edge of the side wall panel opposite to said adjacent side wall,

a tuck flap on said closure panel foldable between the edges of said top end wall closing flaps and said one side wall,

a bottom closure panel hingedly connected to the lower end of one of said side wall panels,

a tuck flap on said bottom closure panel foldable between the edges of said bottom end wall closure flaps and the other side wall,

a flap hinged to said adjacent side Wall along the upper edge thereof,

said flap being narrower in width than said adjacent wall, and centered with respect thereto,

said flap being folded between said adjacent wall and said fifth panel,

said fifth panel having parallel marginal portions on opposite sides of said flap,

means securing said marginal portions to the edges of said adjacent wall, and

a weakened line of separation extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with one edge of said flap which is parallel to said line of hinge.

5. The structure of claim 4 and including a fold line extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with the edge of said flap parallel to said one edge thereof.

6'. The structure of claim 4 and including a second weakened line of separation extending across said fifth panel substantially coinciding with the edge of said flap parallel to said one edge thereof.

7. The structure of claim 1 and in which said adjacent panel includes an inwardly embossed area accomniodating said flap.

8. The structure of claim 4 and in which said adjacent side wall panel is inwardly embossed over the area thereof in face contact with said flap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kovanau Nov. 4, 1930 Roehrl Oct. 3, 1944 

4. A FIFTH PANEL CARTON HAVING A CONCEALED INFORMATION AREA INCLUDING, RECTANGULARLY ARRANGED SIDE AND END WALLS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TOGETHER, A FIFTH PANEL CONNECTED TO ONE SAID END WALL ALONG A HINGE LINE AND OVERLYING THE ADJOINING SIDE WALL AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONTIGUOUS THEREWITH, TOP AND BOTTOM END WALL CLOSING FLAPS HINGED TO THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF SAID END WALL PANELS AND FOLDABLE INTO A COMMON PLANE, A TOP CLOSURE PANEL HINGED THE UPPER EDGE OF THE SIDE WALL PANEL OPPOSITE TO SAID ADJACENT SIDE WALL, A TUCK FLAP ON SAID CLOSURE PANEL FOLDABLE BETWEEN THE EDGES OF SAID TOP END WALL CLOSING FLAPS AND SIDE ONE SIDE WALL, A BOTTOM CLOSURE PANEL HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE LOWER END OF ONE OF SAID SIDE WALL PANELS, A TUCK FLAP ON SAID BOTTOM CLOSURE PANEL FOLDABLE BETWEEN THE EDGES OF SAID BOTTOM END WALL CLOSURE FLAPS AND THE OTHER SIDE WALL, 